Carer Adjustment Payment

What is the Carer Adjustment Payment?

The Carer Adjustment Payment (CAP) is a one off ex-gratia payment providing financial assistance of up to $10,000 to families in exceptional circumstances who do not qualify for any Government income support payments.

CAP is intended to assist families to adjust following a catastrophic event where a child aged under 7 years is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition. The event must have caused an adjustment in the care arrangements that cause the family financial hardship that can be assisted by a one-off ex-gratia grant.

Examples of catastrophic events may include (but are not limited to);

diagnosis of a severe medical condition such as childhood cancer

childhood stroke

car accident

fire

fall

poisoning

near drowning, or

other type of accident

Note: For the purpose of this payment a claimant must be eligible for and receiving Carer Allowance in respect of the child.

Who may be eligible for assistance?

Families will be able to apply for assistance through CAP where, following a catastrophic event, all of the following criteria are met:

the child, aged under 7 years, is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition; and

the child has significant care requirements – that is, requires full-time care from the carer for a minimum of two months following the catastrophic event; and

the child's carer is eligible for and receiving Carer Allowance in respect of the child; and

the carer is not eligible for and receiving Carer Payment; and

the carer and/or their partner are not eligible for an income support payment; and

the carer is able to demonstrate a very strong need for financial support during the adjustment period after the catastrophic event; and

the claim is lodged within 2 years from the date of diagnosis of a severe disability or severe medical condition following the catastrophic event.

Where to claim this assistance?

Your claim for CAP must be lodged with the Australian Government Department of Human Services (Centrelink) within 2 years from the date of diagnosis of a severe disability or severe medical condition following a catastrophic event.

How much will be paid?

CAP is a one-off non-taxable payment available to families in exceptional circumstances. The amount payable depends on the family's individual circumstances. The amount available to any family is up to $10,000 for each child in a single catastrophic event.

Making a Case

All eligible applications for CAP are considered on a case-by-case basis based on the families individual circumstances. Carers will need to present their case by setting out their circumstances and the ways in which the family needs extra support and assistance during the adjustment period.

This may include disruptions to things like the carer's capacity to work and/or the care arrangements for the child or other children in the family.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) CAP assessor will provide a recommendation to a senior officer in DSS. The recommendation will be considered and a final determination made by a DSS senior officer.